Long-term psychological outcomes in older adults after disaster: relationships to religiosity and social support

Abstract

People who experienced recent and severe trauma related to natural and technological disasters are at risk for adverse psychological outcomes in the years after these events. Individuals with low income, low social support, and high levels of non-organizational religiosity are also at greater risk. Implications of these data for current views on the post-disaster psychological reactions and the development of age-sensitive interventions to promote long-term recovery are discussed.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Coastal Residents After Multiple Disasters

“…Sampling, recruitment, and testing are reported in greater detail elsewhere. 4 Noncoastal and former coastal residents were 30 indirectly affected residents and 62 former coastal residents (n = 92) who relocated permanently in 2005 to Baton Rouge, Louisiana (mean age = 59.0 years, SD = 17.6 years; age range, 18-91 years; 35 males, 57 females). There were 63 current coastal residents with catastrophic property damage and storm-related displacement in 2005; they returned to rebuild and had restored their lives in their original coastal communities (mean age = 60.7 years, SD = 15.0 years; age range, 20-83 years; 26 males, 37 females).…”

“…1,2 Relatively few studies have examined health outcomes after multiple back-to-back disasters. [3][4][5][6] Residents of the US Gulf Coast have had a decade of catastrophic disasters in rapid succession with the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Considered the worst human-made environmental disaster in US history, the BP oil spill has been a significant stressor for coastal residents struggling with hurricane recovery.…”

“…For instance, elevations in the prevalence of symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress among residents of disaster-affected communities highlight the need for coordinated responses among mental health professionals, local officials, and urban planners to promote resilience and prepare for future disasters. 4,6 There is ample evidence of health vulnerabilities among commercial fishers with recent trauma related to the BP oil spill. 4,7,10,12 Cherry and her colleagues have shown that Katrina-related stressors and prior lifetime traumatic events predicted different styles of coping with oil spill stress for commercial fishers, although only avoidant coping was associated with increased risk of depression and post-traumatic stress.…”

“…4,6 There is ample evidence of health vulnerabilities among commercial fishers with recent trauma related to the BP oil spill. 4,7,10,12 Cherry and her colleagues have shown that Katrina-related stressors and prior lifetime traumatic events predicted different styles of coping with oil spill stress for commercial fishers, although only avoidant coping was associated with increased risk of depression and post-traumatic stress. 13 Cherry et al's first findings suggest that multiple disasters are devastating for coastal residents, particularly residents with economic ties to the commercial fishing industry.…”

“…13 Cherry et al's first findings suggest that multiple disasters are devastating for coastal residents, particularly residents with economic ties to the commercial fishing industry. 4,13 However, these findings are limited because they did not examine age-related differences in post-disaster health or health-related quality of life.…”